Woodburning stove recommendations - makes/models

suisidevw

Sorry Heth. Overlooked that. Do you/your OH have any thoughts on Carron/Chesney?
Thanks,

it'smeinit

hethmar wrote: »

There are basically 3 types of stainless steel flex liners. 316 - which is a lower grade and has a ten year warranty. We found that these would corrode fairly early at the top of the liner. The manufacturers then brought out 904 which is a purer grade and has a warranty for 25 years - whether they will last that long ..........we use an extra insert piece at the top of the stack to give a further sleeve of stainless steel. Its the top of the stack/liner that is most vulnerable. And we always use insulation material all the way up the chimney around the liner. Then there is, as welda says the mix of 316 and 904 which is not as good as the 904 inner and outer but is often passed off as just "904" if you arent careful. (It isnt a "size" either its the quality of lining material)

Agree with welda, the HETAS bloke doesnt seem to be fully au fait, that is nonsense about the 904 liner- is he properly registered or just approved? The 316 is cheaper for him to buy though. Get a couple more quotes - the HETAS site has a list of installers. If you have already agreed to use him MAKE SURE you get the warranty paperwork, a data plate fixed on the wall (usually near the utility box) which gives the full details of the materials used and the installers name and address and most importantly a HETAS completion certificate. The data plate and cert are requirements in law now - not to mention an approved Carbon monoxide monitor fixed in the room too.

I'm getting a little worried now regarding the fitters ability. My alarm bells were ringing when I asked if a carbon monoxide alarm would be fitted as part of the quote. He replied no you have to supply your own if you want one. I asked if I was right in thinking it would not comply with the new regulation changes that took place in 2010 stating a carbon monoxide alarm was needed to gain a certificate. He then replied he would add it to the quote for £25.00 extra. The quote is showing a different address from the business card he gave me...
Can I add that I checked on the HETAS site for local fitters and he is showning on their list, I'm not sure if this means he is properly registered or just approved?

Any help would be much appreciated, I did get other quotes but they were all much for much really,this guy is suppying the pipework where others wanted me to supply and have it ready for the day of fitting. This worried me a bit encase I missed somthing vital out of my purchase.

suisidevw

What you say above is accurate about the monoxide alarm, no doubt one of the fitters will be along soon

w50nky

A CO alarm is a mandatory requirement in the regs now so your install can not really be signed off unless your CO alarm is fitted at time of installation.

As has been said by Hethmar and Welda regarding liners, it is better to fit a quality 904 grade liner. And not all liners are created equal. The material may be the same but the construction of the liner will differ. Some of the "inferior" brands may not stand up to the process of fitting the liner through the bends in your flue as they seem flimsy by comparison to quality liners.

If alarm bells are sounding regarding you fitter I would try to obtain a recommendation from family/friends and obtain further quotes.

suisidevw

Any thoughts on Carron/Chesney again please?

it'smeinit

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've given it a lot of thought and canceled the fitter, sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling.

One question outstanding. How can you tell the difference between the flue liners when looking at them. Is it obvious, do they carry some sort of mark; stamp etc? How much should I expect to pay per mtr for a 904?

Thanks again

welda

it'smeinit wrote: »

One question outstanding. How can you tell the difference between the flue liners when looking at them. Is it obvious, do they carry some sort of mark; stamp etc? How much should I expect to pay per mtr for a 904?

Thanks again

Regarding matl spec, this will be marked along 2-20-30 or what amount of metres you order, probably vary between manufactures, but will state 316/904, normally looks like it has been inked onto the material, no doubt others will be able to clarify this, as for cost, no idea of current prices?

Cheers...........

alleycat`

it'smeinit wrote: »

T How much should I expect to pay per mtr for a 904?

I've been looking myself and i've seen it on the internet (at various sites).
Price seems to vary quite wildly.
Somewhere between £33+VAT (including delivery) all the way up to nearly £60+VAT.

Even allowing for the slightly weird price variations i've found that 904/904 doesn't seem massively more expensive than 904/316 so i can't understand why anyone would go for the hybrid variety?

316/316 appears to be about £21+VAT to £25+VAT based on some googling.

w50nky

As welda said, usually liner marked up with ink with spec of liner and "correct way up" arrows for fitting. I used Rite Vent liner 6 Meters listed at £250 Including VAT you may get discount and free delivery on your order depending on total value etc. You should get a manufacturers sheet with your liner to register your installation for liner guarantee, I did.

hethmar

Hi - think its all been said but the fitter did sound odd, he would have to confirm on the HETAS completion certificate that a CO monitor had been fitted so I cant see how he could say it was optional. Cowboys about even with a registration it seems. My OH has often said to me he wonders if people get their certificates or indeed, whether some installers send the copy off to be registered at HETAS.

And what on earth are these other fitters doing asking the customer to supply parts - its ridiculous. We go in and the whole job is done top to bottom, the stove lit and the customer shown how to use it. How can people do only part of a job? By the way, get yourself a stove thermometer and a damp meter for your wood - ebay sell both quite cheaply.